Effects of AHEs on DrA in Postpartum Women

NCT ID: NCT05931159

Last Updated: 2023-12-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 38 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-06-13
• Study Completion Date: 2023-12-22

Brief Summary

This study is aimed to determine the effects of Abdominal Hypopressive exercises on IRD, Lumbopelvic pain, Body Image and abdominal muscle function in postpartum women.

Detailed Description

Postnatal women wish to resume abdominal exercises shortly after delivery to improve trunk function and restore the pre-pregnant state of the body. Diastasis recti is a common occurrence in the postpartum period which is associated with both physical impairments and body image concerns. Despite the high prevalence, treatment options are still being explored to identify the best approach to resolve it. Exercise is a conservative method to reduce IRD and improve the associated symptoms and quality of life of postpartum females. Most of the previous studies have used either digital nylon calipers or digital palpation methods for the outcome assessment of DrA which has important implications. Fewer studies have used the gold standard US diagnosis. Despite various studies being conducted on the effect of exercise on DrA, the results are still nonconclusive with a deficiency of a standardized protocol. Multifaceted and clinically meaningful assessments have been proposed to be investigated by the previous literature.

Conditions

Diastasis Recti

Keywords

Diastasis Recti; Diastasis Recti and weakness of Linea alba; Low back pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Abdominal Hypopressive Training

The Abdominal hypopressive Exercises along with home plan based on conventional exercises.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Abdominal Hypopressive Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

Week 1 and 2 - Patient education , Hypopressive Maneuvers in Standing, Sitting and Supine 5-7 repetitions x 5 sets, with a 10-second hold each time, rest for 30 seconds between each set, 2 days/week.

Week 3 and 4, Hypopressive breathing in with varying arm movements along with Week 1 and 2 protocols.

Week 5 to 8 - Hypopressive breathing in kneeling, Four-point kneeling and sitting, and supine positions with varying arm movements 5-7 repetitions x 5 sets, with a 10-second hold each time, rest for 30 seconds between each set, 2 days/week.

Conventional Physical therapy for DrA

Draw-in maneuver in supine, quarduped, prone lying, bent leg fall outs, curl ups, and front and side planks.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Conventional Physical therapy for DrA

Intervention Type: OTHER

Week 1 to 4, Draw-in maneuver in supine, Quadruped and Prone lying, Bent knee Fallouts and Curl ups. (8 to 12 repetitions x 3 sets, 2 days/week)

Week 5 to 8, Front and side planks added to week 1 to 4 exercises. (12 to 20 repetitions x e sets, 2 days/week)

Interventions

Abdominal Hypopressive Training

Week 1 and 2 - Patient education , Hypopressive Maneuvers in Standing, Sitting and Supine 5-7 repetitions x 5 sets, with a 10-second hold each time, rest for 30 seconds between each set, 2 days/week.

Week 3 and 4, Hypopressive breathing in with varying arm movements along with Week 1 and 2 protocols.

Week 5 to 8 - Hypopressive breathing in kneeling, Four-point kneeling and sitting, and supine positions with varying arm movements 5-7 repetitions x 5 sets, with a 10-second hold each time, rest for 30 seconds between each set, 2 days/week.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Conventional Physical therapy for DrA

Week 1 to 4, Draw-in maneuver in supine, Quadruped and Prone lying, Bent knee Fallouts and Curl ups. (8 to 12 repetitions x 3 sets, 2 days/week)

Week 5 to 8, Front and side planks added to week 1 to 4 exercises. (12 to 20 repetitions x e sets, 2 days/week)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 12 weeks to 36 weeks postpartum
• Both vaginal delivery and C-section
• Lumbopelvic pain (NPRS >4)
• Diagnosis of DrA by calliper: 3 cm below the umbilicus: >22 mm, at the umbilicus: >20 mm, 3 cm above the umbilicus: >14 mm
• Primiparous females

Exclusion Criteria

• Any conditions affecting the ability to perform exercise or activity of daily living.
• Previous spinal or abdominal surgery, and neuromuscular diseases.
• Severe DrA >5cm with the herniation or requiring surgical repair.
• LBP associated with disc herniation, spondylolysis, and degenerative changes of the spine

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Sarah Ehsan, PP-DPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Attock Hospital (Private) Limited

Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

Other Identifiers

REC/01538 Fatima Iftikhar

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id